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Thursday Night Lights

It's Franklin versus Dickson County on the high school gridiron this week. The Rebels won their opener, but it's been tough times for the Cougars so far. Dickson County is 0-2 this season.

Both teams are pumped to play under the Thursday Night Lights.

Franklin and Dickson County kick off at 7:00 pm Thursday night. All the action is on our sister station My TV 30.

Follow us on Twitter @wztv_fox17 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates.TNL Preview: Franklin vs. Dickson County

Wednesday, September 4 2013, 11:39 PM CDT

Date

Home School

Visitors

Location

Score

10/17

Pope John Paul II

Father Ryan

TBA

7 to 47

10/24

Oakland

Blackman

TBA

9 to 3

11/01

Brentwood Academy

Ensworth

TBA

36 to 10

Season Updates and Scores from state High School Football

TNL Preview: Blackman vs. Oakland

The District 7 AAA regular season title is on the line this week when Blackman visits Oakland on Thursday Night Lights. Both teams are undefeated at 8-0 heading into the pivotal matchup.

Philip Shadowens leads the visiting Blaze who are 8-0 this season. Thomas McDaniel's Patriots squad is also a perfect 8-0 in 2013.

The game will be televised on our sister station My TV 30 Thursday night at 7 pm. Jack in the Box is a proud sponsor of Thursday Night Lights.

Photo Gallery

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Scholar Athlete of the Week

Each week, local high school`s athletic directors, teachers, counselors and/or principals will select one high school athlete to be the Scholar Athlete of the Week. The selected student will be recognized on air during halftime of a Thursday Night Lights game broadcast. All Scholar Athletes selected will have a chance of winning a $5,000 scholarship to the college or university he/she plans to attend. The Scholar Athlete of the Week is brought to you by Beaman Automotive Group.

Athletic Achievement: Starting center for 4 seasons, Cody is a 2-time offensive player of the week.

Academic Achievement: Cody is currently ranked 12th in his class with a 4.68 GPA.

Community Involvement: Cody is an active member of the Fellowship at Two Rivers and has been an officer for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for 3 years. According to his coaches, Cody is a strong leader for the team who leads by example. His commitment and work ethic are second to none. Cody's teammates look to Cody for advice and leadership.

Week 10

Taylor WallacePage High School

GPA: 4.211

Athletic Achievement: Aside from playing varsity football for 3 years, Taylor has also played varsity baseball all 4 years of high school. In 2011, he was awarded the Academic Award for football.

Academic Aspirations: Because of the death of his father due to heart problems, Taylor's dream is to attend the University of Mississippi where he intends to enroll in their pre-med program with the hopes of one day becoming a cardiologist. Until then, Taylor says he is going to "enjoy high school and keep working hard."

Community Involvement: Taylor attends Clearview Baptist Church and enjoys doing mission work. He is also involved in the American Heart Association.

Keifer BoltonMarshall County High School

GPA: 3.76

Athletic Achievement: A-team starter for MCHS Tigers since Freshman year. Super All Region Football Player and member of "Who's Who"Student Insight: In early 2012, Keifer was in a sledding accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Since that time, he has made a full recovery, all the while continuing to be a model student. While he cannot return to the field, he will remain a major player for the MCHS Tigers!

Athletic Achievement: All Region football as a Junior; Starter for 3 years on both varsity football and varsity basketball teams.

Academic Achievement: As a student at Centennial, Cord has taken a college prep curriculum focused on Business Principals. He is a 4 year member of DECA and earned the opportunity to participate in the National DECA Competition in the spring of 2012, placing 1st in the state of Tennessee.

Community Involvement:Habitat for Humanity, Student Tutoring program (2011-2012 school year), Member of Young Life Centennial.

Week 08

Devonte EdwardsMaplewood Comprehensive High School

GPA: 2.7

Athletic Achievement: A natural born leader, Devonte is a three year starter & co-captain for the football team. He also started on the Metro City Junior Varsity Champions as a sophomore. Devonte started on both lines last year on the Class 4A State runner-up team in football. During the summer, he made every workout and increased his speed, bench press and squat numbers. Devonte displays a true definition of a student athlete.

Community Involvement: Devonte has been involved in numerous community endeavors at Maplewood and in the city of Nashville. At Maplewood, he takes a class called Developing Community Leaders. This class has spear-headed him to organize community clean ups, allowed him to volunteer at the Mayor's Field Day Event at LP Field and be a part of the Maplewood Garden club.

Other comments: Devonte has been a model citizen at Maplewood and a great example to follow for his peers. Because of young men like Davonte, Maplewood has turned the corner from past reports about the school. He is another example of a young man that can rise above his environment and make something out of himself. Devonte has big dreams and if you ask his coach, he will reach them because of his strong work ethic.

Meredith RomanChrist Presbyterian Academy

GPA: 3.63

Athletic Achievements:

Basketball: Part of CPA championship basketball team from 2009 - 2012; 2012 District 10 AA Player of the Year, District 10 AA All Tournament Team, Region 5 AA All Tournament Team, Divisional 1 AA State Champions. Passed the 1,000 point mark in January 2012.

Soccer: District Champions 2011, District Defensive MVP (Goalie), District Tournament Champions, District All Tournament Team, Region All Tournament Team

Community Involvement: Volunteer for many local organizations including Room in the Inn, Thrift Smart, Second Harvest Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, Tennessee Children's Home

Week 07

Natalie Jean ApplebaumHenry County

GPA: 4.0

Athletic Achievements: Natalie is a 4-year Henry County Lady Patriot Basketball and Softball player. She has won the academic achievement award each year and has been a starting player on the varsity softball team every year.

Academic Achievements: Natalie is ranked #1 of 328 students in her class and has been in the Top Ten Scholars program every year. She was a delegate at Tennessee Volunteer Girls State, is a Tennessee Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, a senior class officer, member of the National Society of High School Scholars, National Young Leaders of America and the United States Achievement Academy. She is also the President of HOSA and has won 1st place in the state for medical terminology.

Community Involvement: Natalie volunteers weekly at the Eagle Creek Medical Clinic in Buchanan, TN and as a Tennessee Scholar she has donated hundreds of hours of her time to serve her community.

Emily StinneltClarksville Northeast

GPA: 4.0

Athletic Achievement: All Area, All District Softball 2010, 2011, Golf District Tournament.

Academic Achievement: NHS President, BETA

Community Involvement: Red Cross Summer Youth Program, JCL President

Emily is a driven 16 year old Senior with a love for softball & golf.

Week 06

Daniel GrissimDavid Lipscomb Academy

GPA: 4.0

Athletic Achievements: Lettered 4 years on the football team; Captain and starter for 2 years; Lettered 2 years on the basketball team.

Academic Achievements: Member of the National Honor Society; Member of Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) and the Student Athletic Council

Community Involvement: Member of the Concord Road Church of Christ; participant in youth group activities; participated on a mission trip with Brentwood Rotary Club to Belize as well as Harpeth River cleanup and other activities with Brentwood Rotary.

Taylor (Daisy) WyattGoodpasture Christian School

GPA: 4.8693 (weighted)

Athletic Achievements: Tennis (varsity) - won region in doubles with partner Laine Phillips as well as going to state tournament in Spring 2012. Southern ranked tennis tournament player with USTA.

Community Involvement: Goodpasture annual canned food drive, Habitat for Humanity; playing piano for residents at local nursing homes

Week 05

Chase SmothermanBlackman High School

Grade Point Average: 3.89

Athletic Achievements:

Football: Senior starter free safety / Quarterback. Three year Letterman. Senior captain. State playoffs every year of high school.

Community Involvement:Chase is a Member of Bellaire Baptist Church and is a non-paid volunteer at youth football camps.

Academic Achievements: Chase is a member of the Blackman High School Honors program, which is a program for students who take all classes at an honors level or above.

Austin JankeOakland High School

Grade Point Average: 3.92

Athletic Achievements: 4-year member of the Oakland football team; Voted Football Team Captain for 2012-2013 season; "Dedication in the Weight room" award winner for 2010 and 2011 seasons

Academic Achievements: Austin has been enrolled in several Advanced Honors, Advanced Placement and 1B classes throughout high school, maintaining a 3.9+ GPA over the course of high school. Austin is currently planning to attend Lipscomb University in the Fall of 2013 to begin studies in Engineering.

Community Involvement: Involved in Boy Scouts of America and Cub Scouts since 2001, participating in service projects at Barfield Park, Latimer Scout Reservation, Fellowship United Methodist Church and North Boulevard Church of Christ. Austin has volunteered hundreds of hours toward community service projects including 5+ hours at Habitat for Humanity and 600+ hours on a 9/11 Memorial Garden as part of the Rutherford County Sheriff Department's 9/11 Monument.

Week 04

Jordan TutlerBGA

Grade Point Average: 3.85

Athletic Achievements:

FOOTBALL: All region Division II AA defensive back

TRACK & FIELD: 4th place in Long Jump and Triple Jump in the state track meet.

Community Involvement: Jordan is a volunteer at New Hope Academy, serving over 20 hours a year in community service.

Jeremy WardPearl Cohn High School

Grade Point Average: 3.5

Athletic Achievements:

FOOTBALL: Team Captain and 2 year starter

TRACK: 1st year throwing Discus made it to the regional track meet

Community Involvement: Jeremy is a proud member of "I Have a Future" under the leadership of Calvin Peters and "In Full Motion" under the guidance of Coach Maurice Fitzgerald. He is also a member of "Teens Making a Change" and "Students Taking a Stance."

Academic Achievements: Jeremy is the President of the Pearl Cohn Student Body. He also scored a 28 on his ACT, the highest score over the entire class.

Athletic Achievements: 3rd Year Letterman - High school football1st Year Letterman - Basketball2nd year with highest GPA on football team

Academic Achievement: Vice President of Student Council as a Freshman, Sophomore & Junior Member of FCANational Honors Society Member (executive officer)All A's Honor Roll for 3 yearsMember of Top 25 in class for 3 yearsRanked 2nd in GPA Class Rankings

Community Involvement: Thompson Station church missions to Guatemala in 2009 & 2010Member of Thompson Station Church student ministrySpends numerous hours of community service at church & school

Week 02

Mitch MersmanDickson County High School

Grade Point Average: 3.86

Athletic Achievement:

SOCCER: Varsity starter for soccer team 3 years, All Tournament 2011, All District 2011, All State and team MVP 2012. Has played competitive soccer for past 12 years.

Week 01

Athletic Achievement: 2012 All District Tournament Baseball, 4-year Varsity Letterman in Football and baseball

Academic Achievement: 3-year Honor Roll Student with the highest GPA in his class

Trevor GrahamFather Ryan High School

GPA: 3.64

Athletic Achievement: 4 year varsity member of Golf team, State qualifier sophomore & junior years, 2 year varsity member of boy's basketball team, Leo Long award winner (Best all around)

Community Achievement: Team leader in Relay for Life, Freshman Retreat Leader, Chair on Jr Golf Fundraiser for Harris Hillman

2013 Scholar Athletes

Week Week 13- A Thank You!

Parker HenryBeech High School

Parker Henry was named as one of the Beaman Scholar Athletes of the Week and sent us an amazing Thank You letter we'd like to share. A read of the letter shows just why Parker was selected and why his future is a bright one! We thank you Parker for your pursuit of excellence!

Fox 17/MyTV30

First,I would like to thank Fox17 and MyTV30 for investing in the lives of futureleaders. Although the phraselife-changing is clich, it accurately describes the opportunity yourorganization gives students like me struggling to financially fund collegiatepursuits. For me, the Scholar "Athleteof the Year Scholarship Award is essential, a necessity to go to college. Not only have you given me the opportunity toplay my favorite sport on TV, a dream of mine forever satisfied, but also thechance to put academics first. I cannot thank you enough for the support and encouragement you have furnished in thistime of tough transition from high school to college. Once again, thank you for all you have givenme in finances and encouragement.

Sincerely,

ParkerHenry

2013 Scholar Athlete of the Year

Week 12

Parker HenryBeech High School

GPA: 4.0

Athletic Achievement: All County Football and All County Basketball, Captain of the Basketball Team, Player of the Week 3 times in Football, 4 year Letterman in both Football and Basketball, Attended Tennessee American Legion Boys State and was named MVP of the basketball game, Captain and Point Guard for AAV Basketball with Team Nashville Elite

Will accumulate more than 150 hours of community service serving at Room in the Inn, Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society Relay for Life (Co-Captain), March for Life in Washington D.C., and is a Math tutor for elementary students

Student Bio:

Born in Nashville, TN, Stephen has attended Catholic Schools his entire academic career to this point. Passionate about his faith and committed to his teammates, family and friends. Stephen plans to continue his athletic career at an Ivy League school such as Yale or possibly staying in the south pursuing Vanderbilt, Clemson, or Auburn.

Week 08

Isaac WestonIndependence High School

GPA: 3.437

Athletic Achievement:

Member of the Football team for 4 years (10th year playing)

Community Involvement:

Teacher Assistant for the National League of Junior Cotillions

Volunteers at: Willow Springs Nursing Home during special events and beginning in the Spring of 2014 he will teach Spanish after school to Elementary Students

Student Bio:

Scored a 29 on the ACT

President of FCA

Plays the piano

Has been employed at Publix since May 2012 as the front service clerk/cashier

Sam HigginbothamCentennial High School

GPA: 4.4

Athletic Achievement:

Member of the Football team for 4 years where he plays on the offensive and defensive lines

A very trustworthy young man with the finest of character and his academics obviously speaks for itself

Community Involvement:

Tutors teammates and classmates

Helping with the Cooper Trooper Pumpkin Patch

Involved with the CHS Football community service days

A member of The People's Church

Student Bio:

Received a National Merit Scholar Letter of Commendation

Named Moody's Tire Athlete of the Week

Member of Mu Alpha Theta

Participates in Youth Legislation and math competitions

Is taking 7 AP classes his senior year

Has a neighborhood lawn cutting service that he fits in between school work and football

Week 07

Porter Streator IIIHillsboro High School

GPA: 3.1

Athletic Achievement:

Member of the Football team for 4 years

Plays tight end, quarterback, and strong safety

Snagged the fastest shuttle time at Indiana State University Football Camp

Nominated by his peers as Captain of the Varsity Football team

Plays an active role in the Hillsboro Quarterback Club

Community Involvement:

President of the Health Occupations Student Association(HOSA)

Student Advisor for the Global Health and Science Academy at Hillsboro High School

Student Bio:

Very hard-working and dedicated student

Sustains a 3.1 GPA and has achieved a 22 on the ACT

David YoungAntioch High School

GPA: 4.1

Athletic Achievement:

2 year starter on the Varsity Football team

2 year Co-Captain of the Varsity Football team

Community Involvement:

Active in the Leadership class for 3 years

Participates in various services for the school

Week 06

Josh KeySiegel High School

GPA: 4.0

Athletic Achievement:

Member of the Football team for 4 years

Community Involvement:

Eagle Scout

Active member of the church youth group

Student Bio:

National Honor Society

Beta Club

Parker HenryBeech High School

GPA: 4.0

Athletic Achievement:

All County Football and All County Basketball

Captain of the Basketball Team

Player of the Week 3 times in Football

4 year Letterman in both Football and Basketball

Attended Tennessee American Legion Boys State and was named MVP of the basketball game.

Is the Captain and Point Guard for AAV Basketball with Team Nashville Elite

Attended Young American's for Freedom conference in Santa Barbara, California

Will KaladaHendersonville High School

GPA: 3.8

Athletic Achievement:

9th grade basketball team member

10th-12th grade varsity baseball team member

11th-12th grade varsity football team member

Community Involvement:

Hendersonville Samaritan Center Volunteer

Hendersonville Parks Department Basketball Scorekeeper & Referee

Volunteer for local mission work in Gallatin, TN through church

Volunteer at Hendersonville Public Library

Student Bio:

Will is the middle son of three Kalada boys. He is well respected by his peers at Hendersonville High School as evidenced by the fact that he was voted Student Body President for the 2013-14 school year. Will is a member of numerous clubs and organizations including the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Future Business Leaders of America and DECA.

Week 04

Carlos Gene JohnsonPearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet School

Athletic Achievement:

3-year varsity football player (offensive guard & left tackle)

Named Team Captain for the Kenwood game on August 30, 2013

Member of the Pearl-Cohn 2011-12 JV Championship Football team

Committed verbally to MTSU

Has participated in football camps at Vanderbilt, UT Knoxville, MTSU and TN State

Also a 2-year track team member competing in shot put.

Community Involvement:

Carlos participated in neighborhood clean-up activities for both the 2010 Nashville flood and the August 2013 local flooding.

He has been active in a variety of school service activities, including assisting teachers with room set-up and organization.

Student Bio:

Carlos, the only son of Trellis Johnson and Carlos Stanfield, moved to Nashville from New Orleans when he was a toddler. He has attended Metro Nashville Public Schools for his entire educational career. He is currently studying at Pearl-Cohn's Academy of Entertainment Communication, where his focus is on Audio Production. He lists Science as his best subject and pre-calculus / trigonometry as the subject he has to work the hardest at to get the grades he is proud of.

Carlos plans to study either Sports Medicine or Animal Science in college. Though he hopes for an athletic career that allows him to travel throughout the country, he expects to eventually return to his roots in Nashville. He lists his mother as his biggest influence on his life and says he hopes to be remembered at Pearl-Cohn as "a leader, good teammate and a good student who tried to help others."

Alex BarsMontgomery Bell Academy

GPA: 4.4

Athletic Achievement:

3-year varsity player: FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL & TRACK

All-state 2012

All-American nominee

Invited to play at both Army All American and Under Armour High School All Star Games

Already committed to Notre Dame on a football scholarship

Ranked by Rivals.com as the #36 overall national football recruit and #4 national offensive lineman recruit.

Community Involvement: Alex has volunteered for Race for the Cure, Thistle Farms, Community of the Magdelene House and with the FCA

Student Bio:Alex has attended MBA since the 7th grade and has been a member of the high school board for 5 years. He is a hard-working and dedicated student athlete. Despite his rigorous academic and athletic workload, he still maintains a 4.4 GPA.

Week 03

William (Will) HarmonDickson County High School

GPA: 3.95

Student Bio: Will and his family live on a farm outside of Dickson, Tennessee. Besides playing school sports, he enjoys hunting and working on the farm. Will and his dad are avid Alabama football fans but his mom is an Auburn graduate. He has a younger sister, Marylane, who is in the 9th grade.

Academic Achievement: Will was recently accepted to the Honors College at Harding University. Athletic Achievement:

3-year letterman in Baseball starting 2nd base

3-year letterman in football

Community Involvement:

Will is an active member of our church youth group. Each year, this group travels to a different community to do mission work. He also participates in the youth chorus. They travel to area congregations to perform.

Benjamin HagamanFranklin High School

GPA: 3.89

Student Bio: A senior at Franklin High School, Benjamin Hagaman was named to the All District AAA Basketball team at the conclusion of the 2012-13 season. He has also been an active member of the varsity football and basketball teams. Throughout the past three seasons, his interest also involved global mission work where we spent last summer in Uganda as well as student government at FHS.

State All-Tournament,16 PPG, 6 Rebounds, Williamson County Player of the Year.

Community Involvement: Went to Belize this past Summer on a mission trip with Clearview Church, has coached a 3rd grade flag football team, and tutored students while in high school.

Student Bio: Andy Schumpert is the son of Sally and Scott Schumpert. He is one of three boys. His older brother Grant is in college and his younger brother, Ryan, is in middle school. Andy started playing basketball when he was 5 years old and football when he was in 5th grade. He played both sports throughout middle school and high school. Andy is a mature, dependable, hardworking young man that sets goals and achieves them. He has managed to maintain over a 4.0 GPA while playing both sports. He is the kind of young man every coach dreams of coaching. Brentwood High School is honored to have him as a student/athlete.

Week 011

Defending state champion in Cross Country and the 3200 meter run on the track

One of the top Cross Country runners in Tennessee in all divisions and in the Southeastern U.S.

Community Involvement:

Chosen by her peers to lead the school on the Student Leadership Team and chosen by the leadership of her church to lead and serve the youth.

Serves those who struggle to help themselves in Honduras, in rural Appalachia, in the south side of Chicago, and throughout Nashville

Student Bio:

Allison has the highest grade-point-average possible in the most rigorous curriculum BA offers, including five AP this year. The combination of her performances and her servant leadership is born out of character of self-sacrifice, grit, compassion, and passion; she is truly an exceptional young lady who makes those around her better because of her investment in them.

Parker WadeThe Ensworth School

GPA: 3.6 / ACT: 30

Athletic Achievement:

3 year starter at Center

2010, 2011, 2012 DII-AA State Champions

2012 TSWA All State

2012 Tennessean All Mid-State

2012 All Region

Community Involvement:

Involved with Kids Academy at Ensworth

Serves as an Adviser and Teacher for 5th grade students

Spent 2 weeks in China where he served as an English Instructor

Attends Long Hollow Baptist Church

Team Captain of Morality House

Freshman mentor

Member of the Peer Support Team

Student Bio:

Parker plans on studying Business in college and has received offers from many schools including (but not limited too) Brown, Mercer, Air Force, and Davidson.

Week 010

Caleb YatesOakland High School

GPA: 4.0

Athletic Achievement:

Football 2013 Star Physical Therapy Pre-Season All State

2012 TSSAA All-District

OHS Bobby Morton Pride Award

OHS Dedication to the Weight Room Award

OHS Academic Award

National Underclassman Top Lineman and Top Leader Awards

Most Valuable Track Athlete Award

Finalist TSSAA State Tournament - Shot put and Discus

Community Involvement:

World Outreach Church Leader for Infinity and 4 year olds ministry

Missionary to Kenya

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer

Keller Williams Realty Red Day Volunteer

Boy's State Volunteer and named Top Citizen

Student Bio:

Caleb will attend Mercer University on a Football athletic scholarship where he will major in Bio Mechanical or Mechanical Engineering. He desires to serve others and is extremely interested in Prosthetics for 3rd world countries. Caleb chooses to live joyfully and passionately.

Chris FinottiBlackman High School

GPA: 3.92

Athletic Achievement:

Started for 2 years at left tackle

Starts on left tackle and nose guard this year

Community Involvement:

Key Club

Health Occupation Students of America

Mu Alpha Theta

Volunteer work through the National Honor Society

Student Bio:

Chris has always been in Honors and Advanced placement classes and received at 33 on the ACT. He was the State Finalist in the Duke TIP program. Chris is very hardworking and well liked by all his teachers.

Week 01

Adam HokansonLebanon High School

GPA: 4.0

Athletic Achievement: Hokanson has been playing football since he was 3 years old. A 3-year letter winner in football, Hokanson plays linebacker, fullback and long snapper.

Academic Achievement: Adam is a motivated student excelling in AP and honors classes throughout high school. Community Involvement: As the 3rd oldest of eight children, Hokanson has a full life. Outside of high school football, he is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving as a youth leader. He is also a Boy Scout and is working on becoming an Eagle Scout.

Future Plans: After high school graduation, Adam plans to serve a 2-year church mission then attend Brigham Young University.

Michael KhouryMt Juliet High School

GPA: 4.2

Athletic Achievement: Khoury is a 3-year starter for the Mt Juliet Golden Bears and the only player to play every game on the offensive front during a 25-3 span.

Community Involvement: Khoury holds a leadership position in the school's "Christmas for a Family" project that is held each year. Michael also volunteers at the school's free football camp for future Bears.

Academic Achievement: Michael is an AP level student, taking dual enrollment in 2013 in AP English and AP Microeconomics. Despite scoring a nearly perfect score on his ACT the first time taking the test, he plans to take it again.

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